Known Unknowns

Known Unknowns explores the impact of risk on the global economy, financial markets, and pensions, emphasizing the role of interest rates, inflation, and monetary policy. It critiques economic practices, suggests rethinking traditional financial theories, and discusses the challenges of economic development, social security reform, and technological shifts.

Risk Management Global Economy Financial Markets Pension Funds Interest Rates Inflation and Monetary Policy Economic Practices and Theories Economic Development Social Security Reform Technological Shifts

The hottest Substack posts of Known Unknowns

And their main takeaways

Paying more for less

275 implied HN points • 05 Jun 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Economy Inflation Corporate culture
  1. Inflation is making everything more expensive and reducing purchasing power.
  2. The shift from shareholder primacy to stakeholder capitalism has made everything more political and divisive.
  3. State and local finances are facing serious challenges that impact daily lives more than national debt-ceiling debates.

Bonds bail us out

235 implied HN points • 26 Jun 23
💰 Finance Investing Economy Insurance Work Risk management
  1. Bonds can be a good financial tool for managing risk and long-term investment.
  2. Questioning traditional financial theories, like investing in long-term bonds, can lead to insights on managing pension funds.
  3. Work-from-home trends may not be sustainable in the long term due to the importance of workplace relationships and culture.
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The lies we tell ourselves

275 implied HN points • 03 Apr 23
💰 Finance Economy Policy Banking Investments Regulations
  1. Interest rates may not return to normal, so be cautious. Collective DC plans might not be as ideal as they seem.
  2. Don't expect a recession to automatically solve inflation issues; it may not work as expected.
  3. Inflation brings uncertainty, making high real yields essential, and planning for Social Security reforms could involve risky collective DC plans.

The case for a weirder economy

196 implied HN points • 22 May 23
💼 Business Economics Taxation
  1. Monetary policy is at a historic inflection point, requiring expertise in financial markets.
  2. Inheritance taxes should be increased for wealth redistribution and better tax enforcement.
  3. Maintaining weirdness and innovation is vital in a world that favors conformity.

Banking on the best case scenario

137 implied HN points • 06 Feb 23
  1. Inflation and high interest rates may not have disappeared for good.
  2. The labor market is currently tight due to high demand after pandemic spending.
  3. Wealth taxes proposed by states could have negative impacts on investment strategies and economic growth.